Royal Caribbean Drink Package Update (2026)

The Change to Royal Caribbean Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean recently made a small update to its drink packages.

Beginning March 15, 2026, the Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup is no longer automatically included with two drink packages:

• Deluxe Beverage Package

• Royal Refreshment Package

Guests who want to use the Freestyle machines can still do so. They’ll just need to purchase the cup separately for $4.99 for the cruise.

The Classic Soda Package still includes the cup.

Coca-Cola Freestyle machines on Royal Caribbean ships allow guests to choose from hundreds of soda combinations. As of 2026, the Freestyle souvenir cup is included only with the Classic Soda Package and is optional for other drink packages.

What Each Package Includes

Classic Soda Package

• Fountain soda

• Freestyle machines

• Freestyle cup included

Refreshment Package

• Soda

• bottled water

• specialty coffee

• mocktails

• smoothies

• milkshakes

• fresh juice

• Freestyle cup optional ($4.99)

Deluxe Beverage Package

• beer

• wine

• cocktails

• spirits

• soda

• specialty coffee

• bottled water

• mocktails

• Freestyle cup optional ($4.99)

Drinks from a girls’ cruise with friends - two Refreshment Packages and two Deluxe Beverage Packages at the table. And despite all that… none of us really used our Freestyle cups much.

Why This Change Isn’t a Big Deal

Some cruisers online have been pretty vocal about this change.

But honestly… it’s not nearly as dramatic as it’s being made out to be.

A few things worth remembering:

• The cup is only $4.99 for the entire cruise.

• Most people with the Refreshment or Deluxe package rarely use the Freestyle machines.

• You can still get soda at any bar or restaurant onboard.

• The Freestyle cups are bulky and not particularly convenient to carry around.

And if we’re being honest… the sodas from the bars often taste better anyway (in my humble opinion).

When you have the Royal Caribbean Refreshment Package, don’t limit yourself to one drink. Try something you wouldn’t normally get at home, like a coconut lime refresher mocktail (one of my favorites) alongside coffee or another specialty drink.

One Possible Upside

Another possible benefit of this change is less waste. Freestyle cups are issued on nearly every sailing and are often discarded at the end of the cruise (or lost during it).

By making them optional, fewer cups may end up being produced, transported, and ultimately disposed of.

Royal Caribbean’s Save the Waves program focuses on reducing waste, conserving resources, and protecting the oceans their ships sail through.

My Personal Take

Is it technically a “nickel and dime” move? Sure...

But in the grand scheme of cruise pricing, $4.99 for an optional add-on really isn’t a dealbreaker. Cruising is still one of the best overall values in travel when you consider that your accommodations, meals, entertainment, and so many onboard experiences are already included.

Think about it this way: if you go out to dinner at a restaurant at home, there’s a good chance you’ll spend at least that much on a single drink and that’s before the cost of the meal itself. On a cruise, you’re getting an impeccable level of service and gourmet food (even in the Main Dining Room) night after night as part of your vacation.

And if you’re working with a travel agent, there are often ways to offset small costs like this through things like:

• onboard credit

• cruise planner sales

• promotions and perks

In fact, a good travel advisor can often help you recoup far more than $5 without you having to watch prices constantly. HOW does a travel agent help you? Here are a few examples of how I help my clients every, single day:

• monitoring your cruise fare and requesting price adjustments if the cost drops before final payment

• keeping an eye on excursion prices, which can also be adjusted if they go on sale after you book

• advising you on when cruise planner items typically hit their lowest price

• helping you maximize onboard credit or promotional perks

Cruise pricing changes frequently, and knowing when something has hit its best deal can save you much more than the cost of a Freestyle cup. That’s the kind of information I keep an eye on for my clients, and I’m always just a quick text away if someone wants to double-check whether a price is as good as it’s likely to get.

So while the internet may be upset… I’m not losing sleep over this one.

And you shouldn’t either.